August 1, 2024 – Dr. Tom Kinzel has officially taken over as the Managing Director of the German Chemical Society (GDCh), succeeding Professor Dr. Wolfram Koch, who retired after nearly 22 years of leadership. In his new role, Kinzel aims to continue bringing the GDCh’s mission to life and supporting volunteer work within the organization. As a former alliance manager, Kinzel also plans to advance the chemical community by collaborating with allied organizations.
Before assuming office, Kinzel spent three months familiarizing himself with the internal processes at GDCh. However, his connection with the GDCh dates back much further. “During my studies and doctorate, I received travel grants from the GDCh. Without this support, I would not have been able to pursue the path I did, and I am deeply grateful for it,” Kinzel reflects. He joined the GDCh during that time and has now been a member for around twenty years.
Since May, Kinzel has had the opportunity to get to know the GDCh from within. “I have observed enormous enthusiasm for the work and a strong identification with the charitable goals of the GDCh among the employees. This, along with the good financial situation, is one of the most important achievements of my predecessor, Professor Wolfram Koch. The GDCh is very well-positioned to face the challenges of the future,” Kinzel summarizes. He also acknowledges the critical role of volunteers: “The office with its full-time employees is only one part of the structure. I am also impressed by the high level of commitment with which the volunteers contribute to the functioning of the GDCh.”
Kinzel has already outlined plans for the future direction of the GDCh: “The GDCh follows four guiding principles: relevance in society and politics, a lively network of committed members, a globally leading society, and the creation of new forms of cooperation and communication. We need to assess how well the GDCh’s offerings for the chemical community align with these principles, identify areas where significant progress has been made, and recognize where we are still in the early stages. I also want to closely examine how we engage with volunteers because only together can we create added value for the chemical community. We aim to continue achieving a great deal for the chemical community and our members.”
Background and Career
Tom Kinzel studied chemistry in Göttingen, where he earned his doctorate in organic chemistry. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at MIT in the USA, he began his career as a laboratory manager at Bayer Pharma in Wuppertal in 2011. After several professional positions, Kinzel led the Open Innovation Centers in China and Europe, focusing on alliances and collaborations with external partners. In 2022, Kinzel joined Nuvisan ICB, a company that researches new active ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry, where he headed the Services department within the Life Science Chemistry division. In 2023, he also completed an Executive MBA (EMBA) at HEC Paris.
